The proposed research analyzes processes underlying changes in infant visual attention as a function of experience with a stimulus. Previous research has established that at least two separate processes interact to determine the attentional reaction: A memorial process (habituation) controlling response decrements, and an arousal process (sensitization) controlling transient response increments. Furthermore, a link has been established betweeen the sensitization process and the suprathreshold contrast of the pattern. Four avenues of research are proposed to extend this analysis. The first focuses on the generality of the sensitization process by testing (a) whether a sensitizing visual stimulus will enhance attention to any other visual stimulus, and (b) whether auditory stimulation can energize visual attention. The second line of research involves further use of the linear systems analysis to study the stimulus determinants of the sensitization process. The """"""""fit"""""""" between infants' visual capabilities and the pattern's stimulus energy appears to be the crucial variable; this analysis offers a powerful approach to ontogenetic changes in visual attention. The third research area includes several applications of the dual process analysis outside its initial testing ground. In particular, studies on (a) novelty versus familiarity preferences, and (b) differences between pre- and full-term infants' attentional responses are proposed. The main hypothesis tested here is that sensitization differences contribute to both phenomena. Finally, the consequences of sensitization for learning and memory are considered. Sensitization prolongs visual fixation and may, therfore, improve encoding. The dual-process analysis of infant visual attention suggests that changes in attention as a function of experience reflect not only cognitive factors, but also sensory-perceptual and motivational factors. These multiple determining factors lead to re-interpretations of some existing data, and have implications for clinical and practical applications of infant attention paradigms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01HD019143-04
Application #
3316345
Study Section
Human Development and Aging Subcommittee 1 (HUD)
Project Start
1985-04-01
Project End
1991-06-30
Budget Start
1988-07-01
Budget End
1989-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Type
Graduate Schools
DUNS #
015634884
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
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Bieber, M L; Kaplan, P S; Rosier, E et al. (1997) Sensitizing properties of spectral lights in 4-month-old human infants. Dev Psychobiol 30:275-81
Peterzell, D H; Werner, J S; Kaplan, P S (1995) Individual differences in contrast sensitivity functions: longitudinal study of 4-, 6- and 8-month-old human infants. Vision Res 35:961-79
Bieber, M L; Volbrecht, V J; Werner, J S (1995) Spectral efficiency measured by heterochromatic flicker photometry is similar in human infants and adults. Vision Res 35:1385-92
Kaplan, P S; Goldstein, M H; Huckeby, E R et al. (1995) Habituation, sensitization, and infants' responses to motherese speech. Dev Psychobiol 28:45-57
Peterzell, D H; Werner, J S; Kaplan, P S (1993) Individual differences in contrast sensitivity functions: the first four months of life in humans. Vision Res 33:381-96
Peterzell, D H (1993) Individual differences in the visual attention of human infants: further evidence for separate sensitization and habituation processes. Dev Psychobiol 26:207-18
Kaplan, P S; Fox, K B; Huckeby, E R (1992) Faces as reinforcers: effects of pairing condition and facial expression. Dev Psychobiol 25:299-312
Werner, J S; Steele, V G (1988) Sensitivity of human foveal color mechanisms throughout the life span. J Opt Soc Am A 5:2122-30

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